The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) confirmed the kidnapping and death of a staff member in the Democratic Republic of Congo late last week.

Unidentified gunman attacked a vehicle containing two ADRA Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) workers traveling in a convoy with other civilian vehicles September 30. The ADRA workers were returning from a supervisory visit to a shelter construction site.

One ADRA worker, Boss Kayamba, a native of DRC, was severely beaten and left on the side of the road, said Romain Kenfack, country director for ADRA DRC East. Kayamba was able to crawl for help to the nearby village, and later died while en route to a hospital.

The ADRA driver was taken during the attack but is now safe, Kenfack said.

"We are deeply saddened by the events and death of a member of our ADRA family and we are grateful for the safe return of the driver," said Charles Sandefur, president of ADRA International. "Often, in the work we do, we put ourselves in harm's way to ease the suffering of others."

"To Kayamba's family, know that our hearts and our prayers are with you, and we too grieve this loss," Sandefur said.

This is the 22nd attack on humanitarian workers that has taken place in South Kivu, DRC since the beginning of 2009.

United Nations Deputy Special Representative and Humanitarian Coordinator for the DRC Ross Mountain condemned the attack and called for "all armed groups to respect humanitarian workers and refrain from any criminal act."

ADRA has been active in the DRC since the mid-1990s, and providing support for returning refugees through the distribution of shelters, non-food items, the advocacy of land tenure rights, and a partnership with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education to build health clinics and schools.

For more information, visit adra.org.